Peak Intensity Frame Selection for Flicker Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed cameras capture noticeable light intensity variations due to flickering light sources, causing unwanted flicker effects in video preview and recording, especially in slow motion modes where continuous changes in scene brightness are evident.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device method and system that maintains peak intensity frames as preview frames by performing coarse phase detection, identifying transitional frames, and refining frame intensities to correct for flicker, using a processor to select and adjust frames based on frame intensity trends and thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-speed camera capture rate is increased to 480 fps or 960 fps for slow motion mode, then video quality and motion detail are improved, but flicker effect becomes noticeable due to light intensity variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of frame intensity trends before selecting preview frames. By detecting peak intensity frames in advance using coarse phase detection and intensity monitoring, the system prepares the optimal frame selection strategy before displaying the preview, thereby preventing flicker effects from manifesting in the final output.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the selection criterion for preview frames from sequential frame selection to peak intensity frame selection. By monitoring frame intensity parameters and identifying frames with maximum intensity values, the system adapts the preview frame selection to match the periodic light source characteristics, thereby eliminating flicker while maintaining high capture rates.
2Illumination intensity
If AC-powered light sources are used for illumination, then lighting coverage and brightness are improved, but periodic intensity fluctuations at 50 or 60 Hz cause flicker in high-speed video capture
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the intensity of captured frames and using this information to adjust preview frame selection. The processor analyzes intensity variations in real-time, identifies the periodic pattern corresponding to AC power frequency, and uses this feedback to selectively display only peak intensity frames, thereby compensating for the unstable light source characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits the periodic nature of AC-powered light source fluctuations by synchronizing preview frame selection with the light intensity cycle. By detecting the periodic pattern and selecting frames at specific phases (peak intensity points), the system converts the harmful periodic fluctuation into a predictable pattern that can be managed through selective frame display.
3Measurement precision
If continuous monitoring of all transitional preview frames is performed to identify peak intensity frames, then flicker reduction accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the frame selection process into distinct phases: coarse phase detection for initial peak identification, fine phase detection for precise peak localization, and verification phase for confirmation. This segmentation allows the system to process frames in stages rather than analyzing every single frame in detail, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial monitoring by focusing computational resources only on frames that are likely to be peak intensity frames based on coarse detection results. Instead of fully analyzing every transitional preview frame, the system applies detailed intensity analysis only to candidate frames identified in earlier stages, thereby achieving high detection accuracy with reduced processing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for maintaining peak intensity frames is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of frames, each of which has an associated frame intensity, from a camera sensor; selecting a preview frame and a previous preview frame from among the plurality of frames; performing a coarse phase detection based on a frame intensity of the previous preview frame and the preview frame to identify a trend of frame intensity; monitoring a plurality of transitional preview frames after the preview frame; detecting at least one transitional frame having a frame intensity less than a previous transitional frame; and selecting a next transitional frame as a succeeding preview frame after the preview frame based on a frame intensity of the at least one transitional frame.